New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Deuteronomy 12
1
Here are the rules and laws you must obey. Be careful to follow them in the land the Lord has given you to take as your own. He's the God of your people who lived long ago. Obey these rules and laws as long as you live in the land.
Reference
2
You will soon drive the nations out of it. Completely destroy all of the places where they worship their gods. Destroy them on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.
Reference
3
Break down their altars. Smash their sacred stones. Burn up the poles they use to worship the goddess Asherah. Cut down the statues of their gods. Wipe out the names of their gods from those places.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 33:52
Zechariah 13:2
References God
Exodus 23:13
Sacrifice
Judges 2:2
Psalm 16:4
Deuteronomy 7:5
5
Instead, go to the special place he will choose from among all of your tribes. He will put his Name there. That's where you must go.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 8:29
Psalm 78:68
Deuteronomy 12:13
1 Kings 8:16
References God
Deuteronomy 12:11
Deuteronomy 26:2
Deuteronomy 16:2
Colossians 2:9
1 Kings 8:20
References Lord
2 Chronicles 7:12
6
Take your burnt offerings and sacrifices to that place. Bring your special gifts and a tenth of everything you produce. Take with you what you have promised to give. Bring any other offerings you choose to give. And bring the male animals among your livestock that were born first to their mothers.
7
You and your families will eat at the place the Lord your God will choose. He will be with you there. You will find joy in everything you have done. That's because he has blessed you.
Reference
References God
Deuteronomy 12:18
Deuteronomy 14:26
Leviticus 23:40
Deuteronomy 12:12
Deuteronomy 14:23
Deuteronomy 27:7
Deuteronomy 15:20
References Lord
Philippians 4:4
8
You must not do as we're doing here today. All of us are doing only what we think is right.
Reference
9
That's because you haven't yet reached the place the Lord is giving you. Your God will give you peace and rest there.
Reference
10
But first you will go across the Jordan River. You will settle in the land he's giving you. It will belong to you as your share. He will give you peace and rest from all of your enemies around you. You will live in safety.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 34:28
Deuteronomy 4:22
Deuteronomy 3:27
References God
Deuteronomy 11:31
References Lord
Jeremiah 33:11
11
The Lord your God will choose a special place. He will put his Name there. That's where you must bring everything I command you to bring. That includes your burnt offerings and sacrifices. It includes your special gifts and a tenth of everything you produce. It also includes all of the things of value that you promised to give to the Lord.
Reference
12
Be filled with joy there in the sight of the Lord your God. Your children should also be joyful. So should your male and female servants. And so should the Levites from your towns. The Levites won't receive any part of the land as their share.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 26:12
Deuteronomy 12:19
Joshua 14:4
References God
Deuteronomy 12:7
Deuteronomy 10:9
Deuteronomy 14:29
Psalm 147:1
Joshua 13:33
2 Chronicles 29:36
References Lord
1 Kings 8:66
13
Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you want to.
14
Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose in one of your tribes. There obey everything I command you.
Reference
15
But you can kill your animals in any of your towns. You can eat as much of the meat as you want to. You can eat it as if it were antelope or deer meat. That's in keeping with the blessing the Lord your God is giving you. Those who are "clean" and those who are not can eat it.
Reference
16
But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it. Pour the blood out on the ground like water.
Reference
17
Here are the things you must not eat in your own towns. You must not eat the tenth part of your grain, olive oil and fresh wine. It belongs to the Lord. You must not eat the male animals among your livestock that were born first to their mothers. Don't eat anything you have promised to give. Don't eat any offerings you have chosen to give. And you must not eat any of your special gifts.
Reference
18
Instead, you must eat all of those things in the sight of the Lord your God. Do it at the place he will choose. You, your children, your male and female servants and the Levites from your towns can eat them. Be filled with joy in the sight of the Lord your God. Be joyful in everything you do.
Reference
19
Don't forget to take care of the Levites as long as you live in your land.
20
The Lord your God will increase your territory, just as he has promised you. When he does, you might get hungry for meat. You might say, "I'd really like some meat." Then you can eat as much of it as you want to.
Reference
Covenant
Deuteronomy 19:8
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 11:24
Genesis 28:14
Psalm 107:9
Exodus 23:31
References God
Exodus 34:24
1 Chronicles 4:10
Deuteronomy 12:15
21
The Lord your God will choose a special place. He will put his Name there. But suppose it's too far away for you to go to it. Then you can kill animals from the herds and flocks the Lord has given you. Do it just as I have commanded you. In your own towns you can eat as much of the meat as you want to.
Reference
References God
Deuteronomy 12:5
22
Eat it as you would eat antelope or deer meat. Those who are "clean" and those who are not can eat it.
23
But be sure you don't eat meat that still has blood in it. The blood is the animal's life. So you must not eat the life along with the meat.
Reference
24
You must not eat the blood. Pour it out on the ground like water.
25
Don't eat it. Then things will go well with you and your children after you. You will be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 3:10
1 Kings 11:38
References Lord
Exodus 15:26
Deuteronomy 4:40
Deuteronomy 13:18
Deuteronomy 6:18
26
But go to the place the Lord will choose. Take with you the things you have set apart for him. Bring what you have promised to give him.
Reference
Holy
Numbers 18:19
27
Sacrifice your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. Offer the meat and the blood there. The blood of your sacrifices must be poured out beside his altar. But you can eat the meat.
Reference
28
Make sure you obey all of the rules I'm giving you. Then things will always go well with you and your children after you. That's because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.
Reference
Word
Deuteronomy 4:40
29
You are about to attack the land and take it over as your own. When you do, the Lord your God will cut off the nations who live there. He will do it to make room for you. You will drive them out. You will settle in their land.
Reference
30
They will be destroyed to make room for you. But when they are, be careful. Don't be trapped. Don't ask questions about their gods. Don't say, "How do these nations serve their gods? We'll do it in the same way."
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 10:2
Ezekiel 20:32
Ephesians 4:17
Ezekiel 20:28
References God
Deuteronomy 7:16
31
You must not worship the Lord your God the way they worship their gods. When they worship, they do all kinds of evil things the Lord hates. They even burn up their children in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 32:35
Jeremiah 7:31
Exodus 23:2
Leviticus 18:3
References God
Deuteronomy 12:4
Deuteronomy 9:5
References Lord
2 Kings 21:2
Summary of Deuteronomy 12
Deuteronomy 12 provides further instructions to the children of Israel on the manner in which they should offer their worship to the Lord after entering the land of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall destroy the places and objects of worship associated with the nations that previously inhabited the land. They must not adopt any of the practices of the pagan religions of this land. Rather, they have to worship the Creator in the manner prescribed by Him and at the place He will indicate. Moses advises them to observe all the statutes and ordinances that the Lord has prescribed in relation to His worship.
He begins by advising the Israelites to diligently observe and perform all the statutes that apply within the land that God has promised to give to them. Since the nations already inhabiting the land worshipped their gods on various peaks and beneath verdant oaks, they shall not follow their example and introduce alternative places of idolatry.
Instead, Moses instructs the Israelites to dismantle the altars and idols used by these nations for their pagan worship and to burn their groves. In addition, they must destroy the carved images of their deities and remove the names of their gods from these objects of worship. The Israelites were instructed not to tolerate the continued existence of the alters and objects of pagan worship; they had to completely destroy them. They were not permitted to simply leave the objects of idolatry and add the Lord’s altar alongside them.
Moses then draws the Israelites’ attention to the location where they must offer their sacrifices. They had to bring their offering to the place the Lord had selected as the one worthy of hosting His glory.
It is noteworthy that this location would acquire a special significance once the people of Israel settle in Canaan. Instead of every locality having its altar, all sacrifices would be offered at a single location.
Moses then indicates what offerings the Israelites had to bring to the Lord. They had to present their offerings of all types – the burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and special gifts, vows and freewill offerings, and the firstborn animals. They had to eat and rejoice before the Lord alongside their families.
It is noteworthy that Moses emphasizes the importance of rejoicing. The Israelites had to bring all these offerings in celebration of God’s generosity and have a joyful and festive time. Moreover, all members of society had to participate in this holiday, including slaves and Levites. The Levites did not have any land to inherit; hence, the Torah requires that the people remember them and make sure that they are not deprived of their share in the offerings.
Moses reminds the Israelites that the manner of their worship is different from that prescribed for them during their wanderings in the wilderness. While they did not have a permanent place of sacrifices during their journeys, having crossed the Jordan, they now have a place to stop and settle. Hence, their offerings to the Lord must be according to the Torah. The people had to recognize that it was the Lord who brought the victory; thus, they had to express their joy and gratitude to Him by offering all manner of sacrifices.
They had to bring these offerings to the sanctuary, where all the Israelites would be able to see them. Moses adds that the people could eat meat in their own towns. To this end, they could slaughter animals for food if they desired. However, they still had to bring any animal sacrifices to the place of worship the Lord had selected.
Moreover, the Torah warns the Israelites against consuming blood due to its sacredness – the life of the creature is in its blood. Hence, they had to drain the blood on the ground, for the Lord’s altar and had no right in retaining it. This law is particularly stressed throughout the Torah since it reflects the holiness of God and the sanctity of life. The people of Israel could not consider their lives and the lives of their animals sacred; rather, they had to acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
The Israelites also could not eat the holy things in their own towns. All the tithes and special offerings had to be brought to the Lord and used for the adoration of Him.
Moses repeats the injunction for all those participating in the service to include the Levites among the celebrants. Due to their service to the Lord, the Levites could not have any land of their own; thus, the people of Israel had to provide them with sustenance.
The last few verses of the chapter remind the Israelites of the prohibition to adopt the religious practices of the nations of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall not inquire into the methods of their idolatry or introduce their rituals or gods. The peoples of Canaan employed various abominations in their worship, such as sacrificing children to their gods. Moses instructs the Israelites that they must not act similarly or attempt to appease the Lord by imitating the practices of the nations of Canaan.
The Torah prohibits Israel from adopting their traditions and customs; Israel’s religion had to be different from theirs. Moses warns the Israelites that imitating the nations of Canaan would cause them to sin. Thus, they had to refrain from following any foreign practices, traditions, or even ideas.
The final verses of this chapter reiterate the command to observe all the commandments of the Torah without addition or omission. The Israelites had to obey the word of the Lord, which Moses delivers to them.
Deuteronomy 12 emphasizes the importance of the separation between the faith of the people of Israel and the nations of Canaan. The Israelites had to bring all manner of offerings to the Lord at the location He had selected. Moses warns them against adopting the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations. This chapter stresses the need to distinguish between the Israelites’ personal meals and their sacrifices to the Lord. It instructs them to consume meat in their towns and outside the sanctuary. Moreover, it prescribes rules to Israel in relation to their worship of the Lord – eating the animals’ blood and offering their tithes to the Levites and priests. All the Israelites had to participate in the rejoicing in the Lord’s offerings to enable all members to acknowledge his greatness. Moses emphasizes the special status of the Levites due to their continuous service to the Lord, and warns them against denying them their share in the Israelites’ offerings. As all Israelites entered the lands of Canaan, they had to realize the importance of obeying the Torah in all matters of their worship of the Lord.
He begins by advising the Israelites to diligently observe and perform all the statutes that apply within the land that God has promised to give to them. Since the nations already inhabiting the land worshipped their gods on various peaks and beneath verdant oaks, they shall not follow their example and introduce alternative places of idolatry.
Instead, Moses instructs the Israelites to dismantle the altars and idols used by these nations for their pagan worship and to burn their groves. In addition, they must destroy the carved images of their deities and remove the names of their gods from these objects of worship. The Israelites were instructed not to tolerate the continued existence of the alters and objects of pagan worship; they had to completely destroy them. They were not permitted to simply leave the objects of idolatry and add the Lord’s altar alongside them.
Moses then draws the Israelites’ attention to the location where they must offer their sacrifices. They had to bring their offering to the place the Lord had selected as the one worthy of hosting His glory.
It is noteworthy that this location would acquire a special significance once the people of Israel settle in Canaan. Instead of every locality having its altar, all sacrifices would be offered at a single location.
Moses then indicates what offerings the Israelites had to bring to the Lord. They had to present their offerings of all types – the burnt offerings and sacrifices, tithes and special gifts, vows and freewill offerings, and the firstborn animals. They had to eat and rejoice before the Lord alongside their families.
It is noteworthy that Moses emphasizes the importance of rejoicing. The Israelites had to bring all these offerings in celebration of God’s generosity and have a joyful and festive time. Moreover, all members of society had to participate in this holiday, including slaves and Levites. The Levites did not have any land to inherit; hence, the Torah requires that the people remember them and make sure that they are not deprived of their share in the offerings.
Moses reminds the Israelites that the manner of their worship is different from that prescribed for them during their wanderings in the wilderness. While they did not have a permanent place of sacrifices during their journeys, having crossed the Jordan, they now have a place to stop and settle. Hence, their offerings to the Lord must be according to the Torah. The people had to recognize that it was the Lord who brought the victory; thus, they had to express their joy and gratitude to Him by offering all manner of sacrifices.
They had to bring these offerings to the sanctuary, where all the Israelites would be able to see them. Moses adds that the people could eat meat in their own towns. To this end, they could slaughter animals for food if they desired. However, they still had to bring any animal sacrifices to the place of worship the Lord had selected.
Moreover, the Torah warns the Israelites against consuming blood due to its sacredness – the life of the creature is in its blood. Hence, they had to drain the blood on the ground, for the Lord’s altar and had no right in retaining it. This law is particularly stressed throughout the Torah since it reflects the holiness of God and the sanctity of life. The people of Israel could not consider their lives and the lives of their animals sacred; rather, they had to acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
The Israelites also could not eat the holy things in their own towns. All the tithes and special offerings had to be brought to the Lord and used for the adoration of Him.
Moses repeats the injunction for all those participating in the service to include the Levites among the celebrants. Due to their service to the Lord, the Levites could not have any land of their own; thus, the people of Israel had to provide them with sustenance.
The last few verses of the chapter remind the Israelites of the prohibition to adopt the religious practices of the nations of Canaan. Moses warns them that they shall not inquire into the methods of their idolatry or introduce their rituals or gods. The peoples of Canaan employed various abominations in their worship, such as sacrificing children to their gods. Moses instructs the Israelites that they must not act similarly or attempt to appease the Lord by imitating the practices of the nations of Canaan.
The Torah prohibits Israel from adopting their traditions and customs; Israel’s religion had to be different from theirs. Moses warns the Israelites that imitating the nations of Canaan would cause them to sin. Thus, they had to refrain from following any foreign practices, traditions, or even ideas.
The final verses of this chapter reiterate the command to observe all the commandments of the Torah without addition or omission. The Israelites had to obey the word of the Lord, which Moses delivers to them.
Deuteronomy 12 emphasizes the importance of the separation between the faith of the people of Israel and the nations of Canaan. The Israelites had to bring all manner of offerings to the Lord at the location He had selected. Moses warns them against adopting the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations. This chapter stresses the need to distinguish between the Israelites’ personal meals and their sacrifices to the Lord. It instructs them to consume meat in their towns and outside the sanctuary. Moreover, it prescribes rules to Israel in relation to their worship of the Lord – eating the animals’ blood and offering their tithes to the Levites and priests. All the Israelites had to participate in the rejoicing in the Lord’s offerings to enable all members to acknowledge his greatness. Moses emphasizes the special status of the Levites due to their continuous service to the Lord, and warns them against denying them their share in the Israelites’ offerings. As all Israelites entered the lands of Canaan, they had to realize the importance of obeying the Torah in all matters of their worship of the Lord.